EVENTS

“I could never throw roses to Hitler.”

Jan Chamberlin (Facebook).

A member of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir has resigned rather than perform at the inauguration ceremony for Donald Trump — which she worries would be “endorsing tyranny and (fascism) by singing for this man.”

The choir’s acceptance of an invitation to sing at the event has divided Mormons, who largely backed Trump in the election despite their uneasiness with the Republican candidate during the campaign.

But Janet Chamberlin, a member of the 360-person choir, has chosen to quit after spending “several sleepless nights and days in turmoil and agony” as she prayed and reflected on her choice, reported the Salt Lake City Tribune.

“I’ve tried to tell myself that by not going to the inauguration, that I would be able to stay in Choir for all the other good reasons,” Chamberlin wrote in her resignation letter, which she later shared on Facebook.

[…]

Chamberlin, who said her resignation was a “hugely moral issue,” said she’s received hateful messages since announcing her decision.

Hateful messages. I can imagine. That only goes to show that refusing to perform and stay with the choir was the only ethical choice.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has said that participation in Trump’s inauguration is not required, and the choir’s involvement is not a political statement but is instead a “demonstration of our support for freedom, civility and the peaceful transition of power.”

Well. That’s quite the spin, especially in light of the fact that there has been no demonstration of freedom, civility, or peace of any kind from the incoming administration. Instead, we’ve had open corruption, wide open racism, fascism, open hostility towards swathes of peoples, a distinct lack of civility, and the threat of nuclear war and a brand new arms race.

[…]

“I only know I could never ‘throw roses to Hitler,’” Chamberlin wrote. “And I certainly could never sing for him.”

We’re going to need a whole lot more people like Ms. Chamberlin in the days to come.

Awesome if you like the propaganda they represent. One of those instances where you can’t really separate the artists from the art.
Anyway, strength and courage to Chamberlin, may she not be the only one with such principles in the choir.